Bethpeor is a significant location mentioned in the Old Testament, primarily associated with the Israelites' journey through the wilderness and their encampment in the plains of Moab. The name "Bethpeor" translates to "house of Peor," indicating its connection to the Moabite deity Baal-peor, which played a pivotal role in the events that transpired there.

Biblical References:

1. Geographical Context:
Bethpeor is situated in the region of Moab, east of the Jordan River, opposite Jericho. It is part of the territory that the Israelites encountered before crossing into the Promised Land. The site is often associated with the surrounding mountains and the valley of Moab.

2. Historical Significance:
The most notable event linked to Bethpeor is the incident involving the worship of Baal-peor, as recorded in the Book of Numbers. In Numbers 25:1-3 , it is written: "While Israel was staying in Shittim, the men began to indulge in sexual immorality with the daughters of Moab, who invited them to the sacrifices for their gods. And the people ate and bowed down to these gods. So Israel joined in worshiping Baal of Peor, and the anger of the LORD burned against them."

This apostasy led to a severe plague among the Israelites, which was only halted by the zealous action of Phinehas, the grandson of Aaron, who executed judgment on those who had sinned (Numbers 25:7-9).

3. Moses' Final Days:
Bethpeor is also significant as the location near which Moses delivered his final addresses to the Israelites. In Deuteronomy 3:29 , it is noted: "So we stayed in the valley opposite Beth-peor." It was in this region that Moses recounted the law and prepared the people for their entry into Canaan.

4. Moses' Burial:
The vicinity of Bethpeor is traditionally associated with the burial place of Moses. Deuteronomy 34:5-6 states: "So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, as the LORD had said. And He buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, opposite Beth-peor, but to this day no one knows the place of his burial."

Theological Implications:

Bethpeor serves as a poignant reminder of the dangers of idolatry and the consequences of turning away from the covenant with God. The incident at Baal-peor underscores the importance of faithfulness and obedience to God's commandments. It also highlights the role of righteous leadership, as exemplified by Phinehas, in maintaining the spiritual integrity of the community.

Furthermore, the association of Bethpeor with Moses' final days and burial emphasizes the transition of leadership from Moses to Joshua and the continuation of God's promises to the Israelites. Moses' death near Bethpeor marks the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter in the history of Israel as they prepare to enter the land promised to their forefathers.Bethpeor

(house of Peor), a place on the east of Jordan, opposite Jericho and six miles above Libias or Beth-haran. (Joshua 13:20; 3:29; 4:46)

House of Peor; i.e., "temple of Baal-peor", a place in Moab, on the east of Jordan, opposite Jericho. It was in the tribe of Reuben (Joshua 13:20; Deuteronomy 3:29; 4:46). In the "ravine" or valley over against Beth-peor Moses was probably buried (Deuteronomy 34:6). BETH-PEOR

beth-pe'-or (beth pe`or; oikos Phogor; in Joshua (Vaticanus), Baithphogor, or beth-): "Over against Beth-peor" the Israelites were encamped, "beyond the Jordan, in the valley," when Moses uttered the speeches recorded in Deuteronomy (Deuteronomy 3:29; Deuteronomy 4:46). "In the valley in the land of Moab over against Beth-peor" Moses was buried (Deuteronomy 34:6). Beth-peor and the slopes of Pisgah (the King James Version "Ashdoth-pisgah") are mentioned in close connection in Joshua 13:20. According to Eusebius, Onomasticon, Beth-peor was situated near Mt. Peor (Fogor) opposite Jericho, 6 miles above Livias. Mt. Peor is the "top" or "head" of Peor (Numbers 23:28). Some height commanding a view of the plain East of the river in the lower Jordan valley is clearly intended, but thus far no identification is possible. "The slopes of Pisgah" are probably the lower slopes of the mountain toward Wady `Ayun Musa. Somewhere North of this the summit we are in search of may be found. Conder suggested the cliff at Minyeh, South of Wady Jedeideh, and of Pisgah; and would locate Beth-peor at el-Mareighat, "the smeared things," evidently an ancient place of worship, with a stone circle and standing stones, about 4 miles East, on the same ridge. This seems, however, too far South, and more difficult to reach from Shittim than we should gather from Numbers 25:1.

W. Ewing

Bethpeor (4 Occurrences)
... Ewing. Multi-Version Concordance Bethpeor (4 Occurrences). Deuteronomy
3:29 So we abode in the valley over against Bethpeor. (KJV). ...
/b/bethpeor.htm - 9k

Beth-peor (4 Occurrences)
Beth-peor. Bethpeor, Beth-peor. Beth-pe'or . Easton's Bible Dictionary House ...
NAS). Bethpeor, Beth-peor. Beth-pe'or . Reference Bible.
/b/beth-peor.htm - 9k

Beth-pel'et (1 Occurrence)
Beth-pel'et. Beth-pelet, Beth-pel'et. Bethpeor . ... Joshua 15:27 and Hazar-gaddah,
and Heshmon, and Beth-pelet; (See RSV). Beth-pelet, Beth-pel'et. Bethpeor...
/b/beth-pel'et.htm - 6k

Bethjeshimoth (3 Occurrences)
... south, under Ashdothpisgah: (KJV). Joshua 13:20 And Bethpeor, and Ashdothpisgah,
and Bethjeshimoth, (KJV). Ezekiel 25:9 Therefore, behold ...
/b/bethjeshimoth.htm - 8k

Ashdothpisgah (3 Occurrences)
... Bethjeshimoth; and from the south, under Ashdothpisgah: (KJV). Joshua 13:20
And Bethpeor, and Ashdothpisgah, and Bethjeshimoth, (KJV). ...
/a/ashdothpisgah.htm - 8k

Sepulchre (57 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Deuteronomy 34:6 And he buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over
against Bethpeor: but no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day. ...
/s/sepulchre.htm - 25k

Smote (281 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 4:46 On this side Jordan, in the valley over against Bethpeor, in the
land of Sihon king of the Amorites, who dwelt at Heshbon, whom Moses and the ...
/s/smote.htm - 39k

Knoweth (152 Occurrences)
... (KJV WBS). Deuteronomy 34:6 And he buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over
against Bethpeor: but no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day. ...
/k/knoweth.htm - 35k

Dwelt (307 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 4:46 On this side Jordan, in the valley over against Bethpeor, in the
land of Sihon king of the Amorites, who dwelt at Heshbon, whom Moses and the ...
/d/dwelt.htm - 36k

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